The Complete Plays of Gilbert and Sullivan Part 116

Jupiter, Mars, and Apollo Have quitted the dwellings of men; The other G.o.ds quickly will follow.

And what will become of us then.

Oh pardon us, Jove and Apollo, Pardon us, Jupiter, Mars: Oh see us in misery wallow.

Cursing our terrible stars.

[enter other G.o.ds.]

ALL THESPIANS: Let us remain, we beg of you pleadingly.

THREE G.o.dS: Let them remain, they beg of us pleadingly.

THES. Life on Olympus suits us exceedingly.

G.o.dS. Life on Olympus suits them exceedingly.

THES. Let us remain, we pray in humility.

G.o.dS. Let 'em remain, they pray in humility.

THES. If we have shown some little ability.

G.o.dS. If they have shown some little ability.

Let us remain, etc...

JUP. Enough, your reign is ended.

Upon this sacred hill.

Let him be apprehended And learn out awful will.

Away to earth, contemptible comedians, And hear our curse, before we set you free'

You shall be all be eminent tragedians, Whom no one ever goes to see.

ALL. We go to earth, contemptible tragedians, We hear his curse, before he sets us free, We shall all be eminent tragedians, Whom no one ever, ever goes to see.

SILL, SPAR, THES. Whom no one Ever goes to see.

[The thespians are driven away by the G.o.ds, who group themselves in att.i.tudes of triumph.]

THES. Now, here you see the arrant folly Of doing your best to make things jolly.

I've ruled the world like a chap in his senses, Observe the terrible consequences.

Great Jupiter, whom nothing pleases, Splutters and swears, and kicks up breezes, And sends us home in a mood avengin'

In double quick time, like a railroad engine.

And this he does without compunction, Because I have discharged with unction A highly complicated function Complying with his own injunction, Fol, lol, lay

CHO. All this he does....etc.

[The G.o.ds drive the thespians away. The thespians prepare to descent the mountain as the curtain falls.

CURTAIN

TRIAL BY JURY

Libretto by W. S. Gilbert Music by Sir Arthur Sullivan

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

THE LEARNED JUDGE THE PLAINTIFF THE DEFENDANT COUNSEL FOR THE PLAINTIFF USHER FOREMAN OF THE JURY a.s.sOCIATE FIRST BRIDESMAID

First produced at the Royalty Theatre, London, March 25, 1875

SCENE - A Court of Justice, Barristers, Attorney, and Jurymen discovered.

CHORUS

Hark, the hour of ten is sounding: Hearts with anxious fears are bounding, Hall of Justice, crowds surrounding, Breathing hope and fear-- For to-day in this arena, Summoned by a stern subpoena, Edwin, sued by Angelina, Shortly will appear.

Enter Usher

SOLO - USHER

Now, Jurymen, hear my advice-- All kinds of vulgar prejudice I pray you set aside: With stern, judicial frame of mind From bias free of every kind, This trial must be tried.

CHORUS

From bias free of every kind, This trial must be tried.

[During Chorus, Usher sings fortissimo, "Silence in Court!"]

USHER Oh, listen to the plaintiff's case: Observe the features of her face-- The broken-hearted bride.

Condole with her distress of mind: From bias free of every kind, This trial must be tried!

CHORUS From bias free, etc.

USHER And when, amid the plaintiff's shrieks, The ruffianly defendant speaks-- Upon the other side; What he may say you needn't mind--- From bias free of every kind, This trial must be tried!

CHORUS From bias free, etc.

Enter Defendant

RECIT -- DEFENDANT

Is this the court of the Exchequer?

ALL. It is!

DEFENDANT (aside) Be firm, be firm, my p.e.c.k.e.r, Your evil star's in the ascendant!